Richie heard he was in the area and asked him to stop by the restaurant. Once he got back to me about it. Benza learned first hand how the real-estate developer got his nameand his net worthin all the New York City papers. Loved the valuable information in 2/21/23. Thankfully, there is quite a bit of poker on television right now with ESPN, Fox Sports and NBC Sports Network all offering poker shows on a nearly weekly basis. The writers are less savvy and even less objective and the myriad of websites and column inches are more likely to cover the noise. And just because hes a billionaire with a golden toilet (Im guessing), doesnt mean he goes about everything as a crass, emotionless power player. How did celebrity gossip work? Gabe Kaplan and AJ Benza will return to the booth, reuniting the commentary team that hosted the first five seasons together. Benza, when the men argued over Kara in 2001, on Howard Stern's radio show, as reported by the Inquisitr. People have friends in high places. Our tragic figures are those that couldn't fight off the influences, pressures, and distractions that worked like grease upon their grip. The adorable family of four happily resides in Los Angeles, California. You also may have caught AJ Benza on air while listening to Howard Stern - although he did not escape from those interactions unscathed. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Joe Fernandez Family (1) Spouse Benza: I once said, he doesnt check his pulse in the morninghe checks the papers to see if hes alive. Many of these men who are being knocked on are complete creeps, theres no doubt. Career Benzas average net worth is $1.2 million. A 20-year-old woman using Qing-Dai for about 7 years for intractable ulcerative colitis was admitted to the emergency room because of dyspnea and sync Otherwise, you'll just have to find some other site Writer and television personality who has worked as a gossip columnist for publications like the New York Daily News. But the reality is, the gossip game was largely played on the barter system. When he acknowledges what Ive said and basically expresses that he appreciates my points or my perspective, thats really the most you can hope for with him. He was getting divorced from Ivana, marrying Marla, becoming a dad again, fixing up Wollmans Rink, renovating 40 Wall Street or Trump Place. According to AJ, Whitney remained The Diva and would hold court even while hitting the crackpipe. A.J. He was everywhere. He is a man of average stature. People would approach me with the inside dirt. Great podcast 2/22/23 AJ. Our tragic figures are those that couldn't fight off the influences, pressures, and distractions that worked like grease upon their grip. The Church Of What's Happening Now: #610 - A.J. Take a look at In 2003, Benza became aware of Harvey Weinstein's affair with Georgina Chapman while he was married to his first wife. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. Today, you can listen to Benza talk Hollywood scandals on his popular podcast Fame is a Bitch. The internet is available and there are no other sources or stories about it ? (function(d, s, id) { Benza, whose new Simon & Schuster memoir " '74 and Sunny," is a surprisingly tender coming-of-age story, told me: "Kara was the love of my life, until I met my wife. Benza, a harmonica wizard, dazzled many college crowds with his lightning lipwork and crashing crescendos. There has been talk about sex on set being rampant among teen idols during that time. Benza, who hosts a seamy Hollywood scandal show for E! Memories of an era. We have to be careful about how we go fishing so good people arent getting hurt. In the days before the Internet, there was a ton of vetting that went into these pieces. As you read ahead, youll see why he refers to himself in that manner. Benza's catchy signature line as narrator of E! Benza began his acting . "Fame is a Bitch" with AJ Benza, deconstructs some of the biggest scandals and tragedies of our lifetime. Although I voted for Trump, I destroyed him on my podcast and when Im unhappy with decisions hes made, I call it out. After my divorce in 1991, I started heading into Manhattan and hitting any nightclub that would let me in. According to AJ, Whitney remained The Diva and would hold court even while hitting the crackpipe. On television, he has been the host of many shows, including High Stakes Poker and A.J. . John's a puss for not plowing past Gary and giving AJ a tuneup. You had editors and lawyers to pre-approve articles and I had some real legends around me in that regard. J Heart Lung Transplant. Our tragic figures are those that couldn't fight off the influences, pressures, and distractions that worked like grease upon their grip. It was on this show that Benza popularized the catchphrase "Fame, ain't it a bitch," which later became the title of his autobiography. Benza, a former New York Daily News gossip columnist, was fired from Stern's on-air team when Benza slapped co-worker Stuttering John Melendez in the face after . A classic FIB episode from 2-21-22. Cringeworthy, the shit he says. When these types of things happen, theres only so long a person can be protected by their power and having friends in high places. This was the beginning of a partnership between the two to preserve Weinstein's name. Never before has the political world resembled a circus. As you can tell, I am obsessed with the #MeToo movement and I wonder where its going to go from here. AJ Benza: Fame is a Bitch. Artie talks about receiving a text from former Howard TV member Richie Wilson who now lives and owns a restaurant down there. In 2015, he published another book titled 74 and Sunny). But, midway through the show, he walked away from production. He will say: That idea may not be 100 percent wrong.. J. Benza learned when he attributed a false and damaging rumor about a certain star to Zito. And for years after that, Donald was a guy who lived and died in the columns. His first job was at Newsday as a writer and was later hired as a full-time gossip columnist. A year later Linda wanted out of gossip, so Mort let me write and edit the page, Hot Copy. Eventually I added Downtown, a Sunday column all about me and my exploits. The loudest, most popular voice usually wins. Post College in Brookville, New York where he became a journalism major and showed an affinity for horticulture. Whenever he is not at the studio, Benza loves reading and spending time with his wife and two adorable children Roxy and Rocco. I guess the aggravation hes having now is see how much different it is trying to control ALL the columns, ink and electronic, rather than the wood, Page 2 or 3 and the more-pliable gossip columns. Do I tell my liberal friends who are new to your podcast to fast forward past the political parts? Thats why I also tell my kids - like I said to you - Im like Forrest Gump. LIKE A GOOD KID The country is screaming We're not gonna take it, not Our House., The Case for a Primary Challenge to Joe Biden, The Truth About Aliens Is Still Out There. | University of Miami. Our tragic figures are those that couldn't fight off the influences, pressures, and distractions that worked like grease upon their grip. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. RL Benza, DP Miller, AJ . And by saying that, you come to see that hes a ball-breaker. We are changing the login scheme for contributors for simpler login and to better support using multiple devices. I've never heard of a straight gossip columnist before but I think I remember him putting on the straight bro act on Howard Stern. I covered Tupac Shakur early on because I actually did know Tupac years ago. Mike said he was starting a podcast company and that we should work together. This is a guy who is one of our generations best closers. "Fame is a Bitch" with AJ Benza, deconstructs some of the biggest scandals and tragedies of our lifetime. Benza Related Content AUTOPLAY ON. Benza actor, writer, producer Born June 2, 1962 in Brooklyn, New York, USA Benza was born June 2, 1962 in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. Our mobile site works way better when you have JavaScript enabled. I feel like the Forrest Gump of the scandalous entertainment world and I take the knowledge that I have from personal interactions and bring that to my reporting. Please complete the process by verifying your email address. Do you really think AJ Benza was shot five years ago, and this is the only proof that happened? Benza: I dont see many politicians adopting his skill acquiring media coverage. And our dating her might have overlapped a bit. After graduating from West Islip High Schoolin 1980, Benza majored in journalismat C.W. from Jumping Ibex, Something in the Garden | Short Film for your pointless bitchery needs. I asked: Why would you want to spend the next 4 years away from the things you love? He said I love America and I want to fix certain things.. 15 5 23 channel. I have no problem correcting myself and saying I was wrong (if I was). Entertainment channel, claims Trump deliberately broke up his relationship with Young. Thats all it took., Calling Trump shameless and shrewd at the same time, Benza said you might not like his style, but no one has played the American public and the U.S. government to this extent, and the media, adding, when he was with Marla Maples and we were going to write that they broke up, he cared more about get my wealth in there, get the number right, how many billions Im worththats more important.. However, in 2020, High Stakes Poker re-appeared on PokerGO with Benza and Kaplan in the commentary booth. Hoping to learn more about Trump in those days, and what it is that makes him so much more successful than other publicity hounds at strategically generating press coverage, I wrote Benza, who agreed to an interview by email. However, I had a captivating discussion with Benza, the self-professed Forrest Gump of the entertainment scandal world. Post College in Brookville, New York where he became a journalism major and showed an affinity for horticulture. Now Kara's name is being resurrected with Trump's name in the Continue reading Trump's Black Ex-Girlfriend Kara Young Talks, As KKK . The duo has been in marriage since they were wedded in 2003. He currently lives in Los Angeles. In terms of these types of stories, there were thing that were done in the past that dont fly today. Having a PR flack sell out an A-List client's extra-marital affair wasnt odd at all, so long as I was able or willing to get one of their smaller, but vital, clients in the column. Friedersdorf: When did you first interact with him? Benza graduated from West Islip High School in 1980 and attended C.W. Benza 60,197 views Aug 20, 2018 874 Dislike Share Joey Diaz 817K subscribers A.J. As a result, he would drop dimes on other people in every industry he knew dirt on. Benza graduated from West Islip High School in 1980 and attended C.W. AJ Benza's age is 60. I do know Harvey Weinstein personally and I have to say that although he had a reputation of being a tough and brash guy a bully even I was shocked by this story and how it evolved. 2001; 20:942-948. According to sources, it is estimated that the total size of A. J. Benza's net worth, as of early 2017, is over $500,000, acquired through his gossip columnist career which has been active since the late 1980s. These stories are about the powerful seduction and fateful grip of fame. Don't believe me? Our tragic figures are those that couldn't fight off the influences, pressures, and distractions that worked like grease upon their grip. Benza: I was subbing for Linda at Inside New York and The Donald (as we referred to him) called in. Conor Friedersdorf: How did you get into the gossip-item business? The left side of AJ's face seems to have some paralysis. A. J. Benza (Full name: Alfred Joseph Benza) is a popular American gossip columnist and television host presently working as a writer at Star Magazine and RadarOnline and hosting his very own podcast Fame Is A Bitch. our privacy/terms or if you just want to see the damn It doesnt seem like Harvey can come back, but he swears everything was consensual and doesnt seem to be terribly shaken to his core about some of the stories. Never thought I would hear Pete Hamill on the Artie show, good book. Benza graduated from West Islip High School in 1980 and attended C.W. After my divorce in 1991, I started heading into Manhattan and hitting any nightclub that would let me in. But at its core, celebrity isn't enough. A.J. I think that people are going to come forward and say this happened to me and this heartthrob did it and until now, nothing happened to him.. Timing is also important, especially in politics. Friedersdorf: Do you have any Trump stories that have been forgotten or never heard? In general, people like getting angrytheyll worry about the reason why later on. Check out my new Patreon page Go to b.link/FameIsABitch-Patreon to join. Melendez then made a prank call making fun of the failure of After Hours, provoking Benza further. has been the co-host with fellow poker commentator Gabe Kaplan on High Stakes Poker since 2004.Now he writes freelance, performs the harmonica at open mics and still makes appearances in films and television. N. Ward, M. Walker, S. Savitz 21:09. It got to a point, wherever I felt I HAD to be for the good of the column, Id run into him. The show would then go through another change in the seventh season as Gabe Kaplan was replaced by comedian Norm MacDonald. Oddly compelling in a living trainwreck kind of way. The now retired poker announcer, 77, grew up in Brooklyn, New York and dreamed of one day becoming a Major League Baseball star. Or are aspects of what hes done that future politicians will exploit? Generally, Im curious about what happens next with the #MeToo movement. Inspire employees with compelling live and on-demand video experiences. Always awesome to hear AJ tell tales about old Hollywood and his life experiences. I cant see any other pol pulling this off or trying to adopt or whip up comparable anger. You can submit any additional questions, answers, information or comments in the form below. Post College in Brookville, New York where he became a journalism major and showed an affinity for horticulture.During his college days, he spent most of his time studying and pursuing dramatic theatre. There are experienced sherpas who wouldnt dare climb Trumps ego. Relationships A.J. Therefore, Benza is 60 years old. The same goes for the Dictionary, words and definitions are being redefined, not the original meaning and definition. from Marcos Snchez. 08:52. Benza was born in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City, though he moved with his family to West Islip, New York on Long Island shortly after his birth. I agree. I'm sure if I were in LA I'd have run into him in a bathhouse. Soon she got me hired at NY Newsday running around to parties for her. Hello. You can say he possesses unusual celebrity, but the adjective isnt necessary. Read more Pilates40 Pathetic Ive been a reporter since 1982 and now, I take the interest thats entwined with experience and meeting people over the years and I have fun with it. He wasn't athletic enough to achieve those goals, but he did put. He quickly quit the club and was hired full-time to write gossip for the Daily News. The cases were tried separately, and in November 1994, 'Pac spoke about Agnant to the Daily News' A.J. Benza was born June 2, 1962 in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. I dont like bullies, but whenever Ive been wrong about exposing someone as such, Ill listen and talk about it and then exonerate that person in a follow-up report. I'm going to say 'Uh, No..". As a journalist and a man, I want to assume that every account is accurate. A surprisingly tender coming-of-age story of a close-knit yet tough Sicilian-American family that accepts and welcomes a young boy struggling to understand himselfby the former Daily News (New York) gossip columnist and E! Not so much getting things first. This led to appearances on talk shows such as Geraldo, Hard Copy, The Montel Williams Show, The Maury Povich Show, and various other television talk shows. She told me about the time he took her backstage in Atlantic City to see James Brown and how he put on a cape and danced with the man, or the fact that her mother is still alive today because of the top-notch medical care he organized and went into his pocket for. I used to love watching E! Become a contributor - post when you want with no ads. Ill also be speaking more about Weinstein. And with everyone talking and gawking at The Strongman (or the anomaly), the circus gets a ton of attention, sells out every town, and rolls on without a hitch. Yes kids, your dad knew Winona Ryder who you now watch in Stranger Things. Alfred Joseph Benza[1] is an American gossip columnist and television host. And hes no more exact than Howard Beale, but yet hes too often right on the nose. 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